Head of Data Strategy & Governance
Y TREE
About Y TREE
We are a rapidly growing WealthTech business redefining how individuals and families connect with their money. We provide our clients with total control over their personal finances, empowering them to achieve their financial and life aspirations.
Harnessing sophisticated portfolio analytics, innovative behavioural psychology, and cutting-edge UX/UI, we create revolutionary experiences and transformational outcomes. Founded in 2017 by three successful entrepreneurs with deep expertise in Technology, Corporate Advice, and Investment Management, Y TREE is backed by some of Europe’s leading investors.
About the Data Team
The Data Team is the engine room of Y TREE. We don’t just "store" data; we engineer it to drive sophisticated portfolio analytics, financial advice, behavioural insights, and seamless client/back-office experiences. Operating at the intersection of Finance and Technology, the team manages a modern AWS-based stack (including Databricks) to ensure every byte of information - from investment performance to client profiles - is accurate, secure, and instantly available. We are evolving toward a federated model where data is a shared asset, supported by a central hub of excellence in governance and engineering.
About the Role
As Head of Data Strategy & Governance, you will own the end-to-end data lifecycle. Your mission is to transform our data estate into a scalable, high-quality asset that fuels rapid growth. You will bridge the gap between technical execution and business strategy, ensuring that our "Single Source of Truth," data completeness, and freshness are ironclad.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategy & Operating Model: Design and execute a multi-year data strategy. Define and implement a scalable data operating model that clarifies data ownership, balances domain autonomy with rigorous enterprise governance, and embeds data excellence across all functions (Talent, Finance, Marketing, BizDev, Financial Modelling, and Client teams)
- Data Quality & Master Data Management (MDM): Own the "Golden Record." Implement automated quality engines, AI-driven triaging, and "Human in the Loop" workflows to eliminate operational variance across data providers.
- Governance & Privacy: Partner closely with the DPO to operationalise Data Privacy policies (UK/EU GDPR & PECR). Champion and embed 'Privacy by Design' into data architecture and new products, and implement robust technical frameworks for RBAC, data lifecycle management, and risk mitigation.
- Technical Leadership: Partner with Engineering and Product to embed metadata and quality rules early in the development lifecycle.
- Team & Delivery: Lead a high-performing team using Agile practices (OKRs, Sprints). Manage external vendors and data providers to ensure the data estate remains cost-effective and cutting-edge.
- BI and Analytics: Act as a partner to internal stakeholders by developing robust BI frameworks and KPIs. You will empower teams to move beyond 'reporting' and into 'actionable insight,' to identify trends that drive service enhancements and operational efficiency.
About You
You are a pragmatic leader who thrives in the "grey area" between deep technical architecture and high-level business influence. You don't just set policies; you build the systems that make them stick.
- Experience: Proven track record in a senior leadership role within a data-intensive environment (WealthTech, Fintech, or Asset Management preferred).
- Technical Depth: Expert-level understanding of Databricks/Lakehouse architectures, AWS environments, and visualisation via Tableau.
- AI & Agentic Systems: A forward-thinking practitioner with a natural curiosity for Agentic AI. You have experience automating decision-making and eliminating manual overhead using AI agents and LLMs via automation platforms (e.g., n8n, Antigravity)
- Regulatory Sharpness: Deep knowledge of GDPR and PECR, with the ability to translate complex regulations into practical technical controls.
- Execution Focus: An Agile champion with a relentless focus on scalability, timeliness, and reducing operational variance.
- Stakeholder Mastery: Capable of explaining data lineage to a developer and data ROI to a Founder with equal clarity.
What's in it for you?
- Compensation: We believe in transparency throughout our hiring process. For specific details regarding the salary range for this role, please reach out to Josh Duggan (Talent Attraction Partner)
- Benefits: Private medical care, including gym membership and mental health/wellbeing services. 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays. Enhanced family friendly policies, electric car schemes, and professional qualification support.
- Influence: You aren’t just managing a database; you are architecting the foundation of a business, redefining an industry.
- Equity: The opportunity to share in the success of a high-growth, venture-backed business.
- Innovation: Work with a sophisticated tech stack and lead the implementation of AI-driven data quality and linkage processes.
- Culture: A collaborative, "no-BS" environment where accountability and delivery are celebrated.
Our mission at Y TREE is to build diversity in our teams; diversity of thought, culture, backgrounds and perspectives. Please come as you are and let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you in your application process. Additionally, if you don't feel you meet 100% of the requirements, please apply anyway if you feel you can demonstrate your suitability for the role. Please note that sponsorship is not available for this role.